Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told a European Parliament subcommittee Thursday he expects EU member states to "visibly increase their military presence" in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is raising its clout.
In an online speech to the Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence, Kishi said, "We strongly hope that a strong message will be included (in an EU strategy) to secure the EU and its member states' unwavering commitment to the Indo-Pacific region."
The remarks by Kishi, the first Japanese defense minister to speak at the Parliament, suggest that Tokyo wishes to have its view reflected in the European Union's detailed strategy on the Indo-Pacific, which the bloc plans to draw up by September, according to the Defense Ministry.